Tibouchina urvilleana plant named &#39;TB01&#39;

ABSTRACT

‘TB01’ is a distinctive variety of  Tibouchina urvilleana  which is characterized by unique foliage variegation ranging in color from yellow-green to pink.

The present application claims priority from a provisional U.S. application No. U.S. 61/626,450 filed Sep. 27, 2011, which is herein incorporated by reference.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES

The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosed herein is Tibouchina urvilleana.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

The inventive variety of Tibouchina disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘TB01’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct perennial variety of Tibouchina urvilleana, which has been given the variety denomination of ‘TB01’. Its market class is that of an ornamental plant. ‘TB01’ is intended for use in landscaping and as a decorative plant.

The Tibouchina urvilleana variety ‘TB01’ was selected in 2006 at a wholesale nursery near Whenuapai, New Zealand as a spontaneous genetic mutation among 500 plants of Tibouchina urvilleana ‘edwardsii’ (unpatented) production stock. ‘TB01’ was selected due to its unique foliage variegation with colors ranging from yellow-green to pink. ‘TB01’ was first propagated asexually by cuttings in Whenuapai, New Zealand and has since been asexually propagated by cuttings through four successive generations. The distinctive characteristics of the inventive ‘TB01’ variety are stable from generation to generation; clones of the variety produced by asexual reproduction maintain the distinguishing characteristics of the original plant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘TB01’ is a distinctive variety of Tibouchina urvilleana which is characterized by unique foliage variegation ranging in color from yellow-green to pink, becoming more pronounced in cool weather.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates a typical ‘TB01’ plant during warm weather with flower.

FIG. 2 illustrates a ‘TB01’ plant with typical foliage color expression during cool weather.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinct variety of a Tibouchina urvilleana ornamental plant known as ‘TB01’. Plant observations were made on 14-month old plants grown in 200 mm nursery pots in New South Wales, Australia. Unless indicated otherwise, the descriptions disclosed herein are based upon observations made in October 2010 of mature ‘TB01’ plants grown in nursery pots.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, younger plants. ‘TB01’ has not been observed and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may vary with variations in the environment such as season, temperature, light intensity, day length, cultural conditions and the like. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2001 edition. Note that generic color descriptions such as ‘purple’ do not exist in the R.H.S. charts and the corresponding R.H.S. colors are quoted.

‘TB01’ is a perennial Tibouchina urvilleana plant which is a spontaneous mutation from a Tibouchina urvilleana ‘edwardsii’ stock plant. After its selection in 2006, ‘TB01’ was asexually propagated by cuttings. ‘TB01’ has a variegated leaf with colors ranging from yellow-green to pink and purple flowers displayed atop the foliage.

These features and other characteristics are apparent from the description provided below.

-   Growth habit, dimensions and color: ‘TB01’ is a tall plant forming     an upright hedge habit. Average plant height is to 55 cm and average     plant spread is 65 cm in a 14-month old plant grown in a 200 mm     nursery pot in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (observed October     2010). A representative ‘TB01’ plant is shown in FIG. 1. -   Lateral branches: Quantity per plant: many; greater than 10. Length:     Approximately 16 to 20 cm on average. Diameter: Approximately 5 to     7 mm. Internode length: Approximately 29 mm on average. Strength:     Strong. Texture: Pubescent. Color: Immature: 146C. Mature: Woody,     199D. -   Foliage: The leaf has an average width of 37 mm and reaches an     average length of 90 mm, including petiole (which is approximately     10 to 15 mm in length and 3 to 4 mm wide). Leaves are opposite and     simple. The leaf shape is lanceolate, leaf base is obtuse, leaf     margin is entire, leaf apex is acute. The texture of both the upper     and lower leaf surfaces texture is coarse and pubescent. The leaf     venation pattern is parallel; the color does not contrast     significantly from that of the surrounding foliage. Foliage Color:     Young foliage, upper surface, during warm weather: multi-color     variegation beginning with approximately Red-Purple (RHS 61B) at the     margin moving to approximately Yellow-Green (RHS 151C) on the outer     half of the leaf blade and then to Green (RHS 137A) near the midrib.     Young foliage, lower surface, during warm weather follows the same     variegation pattern as the upper leaf surface only colors are     slightly muted: margin corresponds to 61C, moving to approximately     151D and then approximately 137C at the midrib. Mature foliage,     upper surface, during warm weather: variegated; Yellow-Green (RHS     150B) on the outer half of the leaf blade to Green (RHS 135C) on the     interior half of the leaf blade. Mature foliage, lower surface,     during warm weather: also variegated and corresponding to     approximately Yellow-Green (RHS 150C) transitioning to approximately     Green (RHS 135C) on the interior of the leaf. Young foliage, upper     surface, during cool weather: leaf margin and outer third of leaf     blade corresponding to approximately Red (RHS 52A) with the interior     of leaf being a blend of red and green pigments corresponding to     approximately Red-Purple (RHS 59A). Young foliage, lower surface,     during cool weather is similar to upper surface only slightly muted:     near leaf margin and outer third of leaf the color corresponds most     closely to RHS 52C with the interior of the leaf corresponding to     approximately RHS 59C. Mature foliage, upper surface, during cool     weather: variegated; at the margin and outer half there is a blend     of both Orange-Red (approximately RHS 34C) and Yellow-Green     (approximately RHS 150B) transitioning to approximately Yellow-Green     (RHS 151B) on the interior of the leaf. Mature foliage, lower     surface, during cool weather: similar to upper surface only slightly     muted; RHS 34D at the margin and outer leaf transitioning to     approximately RHS 151C. Venation: Midribs (at all stages) do not     contrast significantly with the surrounding leaf blade color. 147C.     Petiole, young and mature, during warm weather is Yellow-Green     (approximately RHS 151C). Petiole, young and mature, during cool     weather is Red (approximately RHS 53B) -   Roots: The roots of ‘TB01’ are colored white and appear fibrous and     freely branched, similar to other Tibouchina urvilleana. -   Flowers:     -   -   Flower type and habit.—‘TB01’ has a flower typical of the             parent plant. Rounded flowers arranged in terminal panicles,             typically three to five flowers per panicle, facing upward             and outward. Individual flowers typically persist for a             period of no more than two days.         -   Natural flowering season.—Summer through Fall.         -   Fragrance.—None.         -   Flowers.—Diameter: Approximately 85 mm.         -   Flower buds.—Length: Approximately 25 to 30 mm. Diameter:             About 10 to 15 mm. Shape: Ovoid. Color: Red (RHS 46A).         -   Petals.—Arrangement: Five petals in a single whorl. Length:             Approximately 35 to 40 mm. Width: Apex, approximately 20 to             25 mm; base, about 5 mm. Shape: Obovate. Apex: Rounded.             Base: Cuneate. Margin: Entire. Texture, upper and lower             surfaces: Smooth. Aspect: Concave towards base, reflexed             towards apex. Color: When opening: 83A. When opening, lower             surface: 82A. Fully opened, upper surface: Violet (RHS 82A).             Fully opened, lower surface: Violet (RHS 82B).         -   Sepals.—Arrangement: Five sepals in a single whorl. Length:             Approximately 10 to 15 mm. Width: Approximately 5 mm. Shape:             Lanceolate. Apex: Acute. Base: Cuneate. Texture, upper and             lower surfaces: Pubescent. Color, upper and lower surfaces:             a blend of Red (RHS 46A) and Yellow-Green (RHS 151D).         -   Peduncles.—Length: Approximately 30 to 35 mm. Diameter:             Approximately 5 to 7 mm. Strength: Strong. Texture:             Pubescent. Color is a blend of Red (RHS 46A) and             Yellow-Green (RHS 151D).         -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Quantity of Stamen per             flower: usually ten. Filament length: Approximately 20 mm.             Filament color: 82B. Anther length: About 15 mm. Anther             color: Approximately Violet (RHS 83C). Pollen: None             observed. Gynoecium: Pistils: Quantity per flower: One with             five locules. Pistil length: approximately 35 mm. Style             length: About 30 mm. Style color: 82A. Stigma shape: Round.             Stigma color: 155C. Ovary color: 145B.         -   Seed/fruit.—Seed production has not yet been observed. -   Comparison of TB01 with other varieties of Tibouchina urvilleana:     ‘TB01’ is the only known variegated form of T. urvilleana known to     the breeder. Variegated forms exist among other species of     Ticouchina. However, significant difference in plant habit and leaf     shape make them unfit for comparators. ‘TB01’ is characterized by a     variegated leaf blade with color ranging from yellow-green to pink     as compared with the parent T. urvilleana ‘edwardsii’ which has no     variegation of the leaf blade. This unique foliage variegation makes     ‘TB01’ a desirable ornamental plant suited for mass production for     pot and landscape use. -   Asexual reproduction: After its initial discovery, subsequent     cuttings were taken from the original T. urvilleana ‘TB01’ plant and     transplanted into 90 mm×50 mm×50 mm propagation trays to increase     stock. Once these trays were fully rooted, these young plants were     transferred into 140 mm pots to allow for testing of genetic     stability and also for further field trials and testing. After     several subsequent generations of cuttings, ‘TB01’ was observed to     retain foliage variegation that was noted in the original ‘TB01’     mutation. Cuttings of ‘TB01’ root within 2 weeks. Potting mix used     contained 50% sand and 50% peat. -   Environmental tolerances: ‘TB01’ has typical shade tolerance for the     species. The winter hardiness of ‘TB01’ is at least to USDA Zone 9a     in the Southeastern United States, and evaluation of winter     hardiness is ongoing. Like the parent plant, ‘TB01’ has some drought     tolerance but benefits regular watering. ‘TB01’ does well in sandy     soils, but also tolerates heavy, clay-type soils well. -   Disease resistance: ‘TB01’ has typical resistance to fungal and     bacterial pathogens compared to other similar Tibouchina urvilleana     cultivars. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Tibouchina urvilleana plant named ‘TB01’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 